A/HRC/12/14 Page 9 number of financial and technical programmes aimed at strengthening its capacity in the area of human rights. 35. Slovenia noted that some of the constitutional norms did not respect the principle of equality of women and the prohibition against discrimination, and expressed concern that the customary laws did not fully reflect the rights of the child. It asked how the Government intended to pursue the efforts of bringing the national legislation into line with the standards of CEDAW and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and how the Government intended to modify attitudes and stereotypes that allow violence against women and discrimination against women in public life, decision-making, marriage and family relations. Slovenia also asked whether the Government envisaged elaborating a similar initiative for women as it had done for children with its National Programme of Action for Children. Slovenia recommended that Vanuatu follow up its ratification of CEDAW and the Convention on the Rights of the Child with implementation. 36. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland commended the work to improve human rights for vulnerable persons such as children and persons with disabilities. Welcoming Vanuatu’s ratification of several human rights treaties, it asked whether the Government intended to become a party to others, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention against Torture. Noting concerns raised by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women about the persistence of adverse cultural norms, practices and traditions which can affect women’s enjoyment of their rights, it asked about recent initiatives to address such issues. It commended and urged the continuation of efforts to encourage more women in leadership roles. It recommended (a) seeking to address, as a matter of priority, any rules and customs that discriminate against women; (b) taking forward its initiative to establish a national human rights institution in accordance with the Paris Principles; and (c) involving civil society organizations in the followup to this review. 37. Noting that Vanuatu is not yet party to a number of core human rights treaties such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention against Torture and the International Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, Turkey encouraged Vanuatu to join those conventions. Turkey was pleased to see that the Government had enacted the Family Protection Act. In line with the observations by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, Turkey recommended putting in place a comprehensive strategy to modify or eliminate cultural practices and stereotypes that discriminate against women. 38. New Zealand noted the challenges Vanuatu faces as a small island developing State with limited resources and recognized its vulnerability to climate change and its human rights implications. Commending the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and establishment of a national disability committee, New Zealand asked how Vanuatu addressed the needs of children with disabilities in accessing education and health services. It recommended (a) strengthening efforts to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by amending the Constitution to prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities and supporting the role of disabled persons organizations. New Zealand actively supported efforts to address human rights concerns in the prison system and welcomed the commitment to establish a professional corrections service. It added that respect for human rights